
MARY JANE'S ARRIVAL
EXPLORING THE FARM
THE HUNT FOR EGGS
THE MYSTERIOUS BUNDLES
[Illustration: "We'll make a pattern and cut out our pieces—there's a lot to quilt-making."]
GARDENING WITH GRANDFATHER
THE GARDEN THIEF
MARY JANE'S FAMILY
COUSIN JOHN'S VISIT
[Illustration: "There, before their eyes were the rabbits, five of them."]
A bright‑eyed five‑year‑old named Mary Jane hops aboard a sleepy night train, only to awaken to a landscape that seems reshaped by magic—wide, smooth fields, straight white roads, and a chorus of buttercups swaying in the morning sun. As she fumbles for shoes and stockings from a tiny hammock, the kindly Dr. Smith and a chatty porter become her companions, offering gentle jokes and steady guidance while the train rattles toward a tiny station called Glenville.
Eager to see her great‑grandmother, Mary Jane declares herself a “big girl” and embraces the adventure of traveling alone, clutching a little bag packed just as her mother taught her. Listeners will be drawn into her vivid observations, the playful banter with the train staff, and the sweet anticipation of a child’s first journey beyond the familiar hills of home. The story captures the wonder of early travel and the tender courage of a young explorer stepping onto new tracks.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (151K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-05-31
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1879–1960
A prolific writer for young readers, she turned history, everyday life, and American leaders into clear, inviting books for children. Her work helped generations of readers discover nonfiction through lively, accessible storytelling.
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